Budget above Government recommendation

COUNTY Councillor David Rowlands, Executive Member for Education, said: 'We have set a total budget for Cheshire schools that exceeds the target set by Government for passing on national funding increases.

COUNTY Councillor David Rowlands, Executive Member for Education, said: 'We have set a total budget for Cheshire schools that exceeds the target set by Government for passing on national funding increases.

'In Cheshire the amount spent on schools is 5% more (around &#xA3;14m) than the Government considers necessary. This is despite Cheshire's position as one of the 40 worst-funded local education authorities (LEA) in the country.'

He added: 'As a LEA, we are here to try to help schools with their budget and we have skilled and experienced staff to do this.

'I ask Childer Thornton school to avail themselves of that assistance by discussing matters with our officers.'